CHARLOTTE, N.C.  Carolina Panthers quarterback Vinny Testaverde was inactive for today's game against New Orleans, a day after he awoke with a stiff back.

The 44-year-old Testaverde seemed to recover from a right Achilles' tendon injury that forced him to miss one game and leave at halftime of another. Testaverde had practiced for three days last week, and coach John Fox made him the starter on Wednesday.

But Testaverde complained of a sore back when he reported to the stadium Saturday. The Panthers planned to have Testaverde test the back in pregame warmups, but he was not seen on the field before the inactives were announced.

Without Testaverde, the Panthers were left with struggling David Carr and undrafted rookie Matt Moore.

Carr was expected to be the clear No. 2 quarterback behind Jake Delhomme when he signed a two-year, $6 million free-agent deal in the offseason. But Carr has struggled and has sustained two concussions and a back injury since he replaced Delhomme, who was lost in Week 3 to a season-ending elbow injury.

The Panthers were also without cornerback Chris Gamble, who broke his right thumb in last Sunday's loss to Green Bay.

Linebacker Thomas Davis, who was questionable with a foot injury, was on the active roster.

Saints running back Reggie Bush, who was questionable with a bruised left shin, was on the active roster. New Orleans also had defensive end Charles Grant and left tackle Jammal Brown back after they missed last Sunday's loss to Houston with injuries.